Exceptional Record Month for Christchurch Airport

Exceptional Record Month for Christchurch Airport

Domestic passenger movements at Christchurch International Airport have reached a record high for the month of December, with an 11% increase on the same month last year.

Gareth Owen, CIAL's General Manager Marketing and Business Development, attributes this strong growth to a number of factors, including lower airfares in the market due to increased competition, and the entrant of a new domestic carrier, Pacific Blue. "This substantial increase in passenger numbers is a reflection of a new carrier helping to grow the market. It is great to see more people travelling through the gateway for the best of the South Island and we welcome ongoing growth from all three domestic airlines", says Mr Owen.

Pacific Blue's General Manager Commercial, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, said the airline welcomed the airport's figures showing strong domestic passenger growth. "The figures support our view that by making travel more affordable, more New Zealanders are able to fly more often. We're sure that many North Islanders have been taking advantage of lower fares to visit friends and family or take a holiday in the beautiful south."

For the eighth consecutive month, international passenger movements have also increased, with December 2007 up 3.2% on the previous year.

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For further comment, please contact:

Chelsea Halliwell
Manager Marketing and Communications
Christchurch International Airport Limited
Phone: 03 353 7807
Mobile: 021 450 202
Email: chelsea.halliwell@cial.co.nz

Christchurch International Airport – Gateway for the Best of the South Island
Christchurch International Airport welcomed 5.5 million passengers in 2006/2007, ranking as New Zealand's second largest airport. The Airport occupies a unique position economically, as the South Island's busiest and most strategic air connection to the world's trade and tourism markets. In addition, the airport plays an important role as the South Island's major domestic hub servicing all New Zealanders, enabling passengers to connect to a full spectrum of destinations throughout New Zealand. Christchurch International Airport is a major driver of the regional Canterbury economy, generating airport precinct related jobs for nearly 5000 people.

Christchurch International Airport is owned and operated by Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL). CIAL was established as a limited liability company in 1988, and ownership of CIAL is now shared by Christchurch City Holdings Limited with 75% and the New Zealand Government with 25%. The company's vision is to excel in the delivery of airport services as the gateway for the best of the South Island.

CIAL is a carbon neutral company and has received carboNZero certification from Landcare Research following a detailed measurement and analysis process. CIAL is the first airport company in the Southern Hemisphere to attain certified carbon neutral status and is the second carbon neutral certified airport company in the world.

Visit christchurchairport.co.nz for more information.

ENDS

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